I went online to the ARCHIVIO DI STATO DI COSENZA website and ordered copies of 2 documents. I received the above text via an email pdf and did not respond because I did not want to through the process of sending funds since I really don't know what the process.

Then yesterday I received via postal mail the copies of the documents and the same letter. What is the amount that they are requesting and if possible can someone tell me the process to make payment?

Nowhere on the website does it mention anything related to cost when ordering copies.

It looks as if they just went ahead and sent you the documents, assuming you'd pay the 0.6 euros per photocopy and the 1.85 euros for postage.

I read somewhere that the Ruesch service is useful for sending euros to Italy. I haven't tried the service, but here's the info:

"Ruesch International bank drafts. An easy and inexpensive way to send money from North America to Europe is to telephone Ruesch International Financial Services at 800-424-2923. Ask for an international bank draft for the equivalent of $15.00 (or another amount) in Italian lire. There is a $3.00 service charge. Have the check made payable to the organization, the Ufficio di Stato Civile (civil registration office), or the Parrocchia (parish). Ruesch will give you a transaction number to write on your payment check. Send the payment to:
Ruesch International Financial Services
700 11th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20001-4507
When they receive your payment, Ruesch will promptly send you a foreign currency draft (check) that you can mail to Europe. "

Thank you for your response. Do you have any idea how much money they are requesting? I tried to do a currency conversion and came up with the equivalent 2,45 euros =$3.60. Does that sound about right?

Yes, they are requesting 2.45 euros, which is the equivalent of about $3.60 US. The can't really use US currency, so send them the euros. If you or a friend have some, from a previous trip or something, you could stick in a fiver, for example. Otherwise, maybe Ruesch can help. Ms Nucci is suggesting that you send the money in a security envelope that hides the fact that money is enclosed and thus doesn't tempt someone to lift it. She gives the address for where to send it. You could respond to her email with a little thank-you and the note that you'll be sending the money by mail directly.

I have helped people use this method before and I would advise that you fold the notes into a piece of kitchen foil and then fold inside the suggested note and this which will diguise the metal strip found in many notes these days.

Thank you for all the great information.
Ended up going to the bank and mailing a well concealed euro note and followed up with an email. We'll see.
I did ask the post office about foil and they said that would probably be a dead give away that there was something of value in the envelope.

wisemonkey wrote:Thank you for all the great information.Ended up going to the bank and mailing a well concealed euro note and followed up with an email. We'll see. I did ask the post office about foil and they said that would probably be a dead give away that there was something of value in the envelope.

Despite what they (the PO) say, it does work. The foil isn't in a packet which would indicate something of interest - but in an ordinary envelope which clearly has very few pages in it .... Ususally a one page 'letter' wrapped around a single small bank note which does not show. The foil could easily be part of a birthday card or such.